Orders are available for pick-up at Restaurant Nicholas at 160 Route 35 South Red Bank, NJ 07701 during the following times:
Monday: 9:30-3:30; Tuesday – Friday: 9:15am – 9:00pm; Saturday: 11:00am – 9:00pm; Sunday: Closed
$60.00 $34.00
Once he took over Melville, Chad looked to sell his Samsara side project that he had started with his wife. He sold it to Dave and Joan Szkutak, a similarly passionate wine family who were ecstatic to break into such a great location in the Sta. Rita Hills.
They got the winemaking facility, the vineyards and the contracts from Chad along with a parting gift that they didn’t even know they were receiving at first – Chad’s 2015 single-vineyard Rancho La Vina Vineyard Pinot Noir armed with a fresh 94-point score from the most respected wine publication in the world, The Wine Advocate.
Of course, Chad’s Pinot has it all. Parker’s Wine Advocate highlights the, “tons of vibrant energy” the “pleasantly chewy-tannins” and even the “juicy freshness” three hallmarks of great Pinot Noir. And the best part? With a little age to this library wine, it is so stinking good right now – it should enjoy its prime from now thru the next 3-5 years.
Here’s where the best part comes in. This gorgeous Sta. Rita Hills Pinot was released at the winery for $58/bottle but due to the changing of hands in 2017, didn’t get a proper release party. That means that there were 12 cases just sitting there for the taking, and I locked into them all at an outrageously good price.
Out of stock
94 Points, Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2015 Pinot Noir Rancho la Vina Vineyard has a pale to medium ruby color with aromas of blueberries, roses, crushed stone, tobacco, saline and tangerine peel with rhubarb, strawberry, warm red and black cherries and blackberries with tinges of woodsmoke and earth. The light to medium-bodied palate is silky, featuring broody spices and fruits and swelling with pleasantly chewy tannins and juicy freshness before finishing with tons of vibrant energy.
93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck
Smoked red fruits, dried herbs, sous bois, and earth all emerge from the 2015 Pinot Noir Rancho La Vina Vineyard. Another powerful, concentrated Pinot Noir from Chad, it balances its richness nicely with purity and elegance.
Winemaker Marjorie Gallet’s Effet Papillon Rouge is a terrific blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignane, harvested from the iron rich soil just outside of Rivesaltes at the base of Pyrenees. This one is a vibrant wine, with aromas of wild black raspberries and sweet spices. The mid palate is rich and velvety, with a core of sweet black fruit that finishes fresh, long and silky. At the price, it’s one of the easier no-brainer case buys we offer.
92 Points, James Suckling
It’s hard to imagine a wine that delivers more bang for your buck and consistency than what Herve Fabre is able to produce from his 100+ year old vines each vintage. Last year, his Malbec Reserva landed on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Buys of the Year. I called a big score form this one and it has just arrived. It’s a big, full-bodied Malbec from the heart of Mendoza and has great tannic structure and primary fruit, giving it similar characteristics to a Napa Valley Cab. Inviting aromas of raspberry pie, sage, herbs and roasted mushrooms.
Chad’s 2020 McKinley Springs Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is drop dead gorgeous. Those of you who were lucky to catch our sneak preview when we put it in our Gobbler Case can attest. Dark purple to the rim with aromas of black fruits, violets, creme de cassis and a hint of spice. On the palate, full-bodied, round and juicy with elegance and the gorgeous, pure fruit– red and black currants, blackberries and a touch of sweet tobacco.
99 Pts, Vinous – 97 Pts (Cellar Selection), Wine Enthusiast– 97 Pts, Spectator – 97 Pts, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni called it, “hands down one of the wines of the vintage.” The Wine Advocate chipped in with “a refreshing, beautifully perfumed and skillfully crafted expression of the vintage.” Here’s what I’ll say: How could you do any better than securing a few bottles of a wine with 30-40 years of life left that is already showing better than giants such as Lafite, Margaux and Le Pin. There aren’t many years in Bordeaux’s history where one of the top 3-5 wines of the vintage was a $105 bottling and not one available at four figures.
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